Petunia plant `Revolution Brilliantpink`

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a decumbent type petunia plant having long stems. The plant has abundant branching and a great profusion of blooms, and the whole bush remains in bloom for a considerable period of time. The flowers are single and large and the petals have a metallic luster and a vivid purplish red color with deep reddish purple lines radiating from a dark purple center portion. The plant is highly resistant to rain, heat, and drought.

BACKGROUND OF THE VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of petuniaplant obtained from crossing `Recoverer Scarletred (♀)` and a wild typeof petunia plant (♂) native to Brazil.

Petunia is a very popular plant and is used for flower bedding andpotting in the summer season. There are only a few varieties of thepetunia plant which do not have an upright growth habit and which have ahigh resistance to rain, heat, and drought. Accordingly, this inventionwas aimed at obtaining a new variety of decumbent habit petunia planthaving long stems and large blooms, the bush remaining in bloom for aconsiderable period of time, and a high resistance to rain, heat, anddrought.

The new variety of petunia plant according to this invention originatedfrom a crossing of `Recoverer Scarletred` as the female parent and awild type of petunia plant native to Brazil as the pollen parent, inJune, 1984 at the Yachiyo Farm of Keisei Rose Nurseries, Inc., residingat 755 Owadasinden, Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan. From this crossing380 seedlings were obtained in 1985, from which 3 seedlings wereselected, propagated by cutting, and then grown as a trail by flowerbedding. Only one of the 3 resulting plants was selected. The botanicalcharacteristics of the finally-selected plant were then examined, usinga similar variety, `Recoverer Blue`, for comparison, from the spring of1986. As a result, it was concluded that this petunia plant isdistinguishable from any other variety, whose existence is known to us,and this new variety of petunia plant was named `RevolutionBrilliantpink`.

In the following description, the color-coding is in accordance with theHorticultural Colour Chart of The Royal Horticultural Society, London,England (R.H.S. Colour Chart), and the Inter-Society ColorCouncil-Nation Bureau of Standards Color Name (I.S.C.C.-N.B.S. ColorName). A color chart based on The Japan Color Standard for HorticulturalPlant (J.H.S. Color Chart) is also added for reference.

`Recoverer Scarletred`, also called `Recoverer Scarlet` or `RecovererRed`, used as the female parent in the breeding of this new variety`Revolution Brilliantpink`, is one of the Recoverer Series bred by theSakata Seed Corp., Japan. The Recoverer Series includes theabove-mentioned `Recoverer Blue` used as a comparative variety in theexamination, `Recoverer White`, and `Recoverer Pink`, and these plantsare commonly characterized by a high resistance to rain. The mainbotanical characteristics of `Recoverer Scarletred` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Upright.

Plant height.--30-40 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--25-35 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--April to September in the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 4.5-6.5 mm; lateral stem 2.0-3.0 mm.

Color.--Strong yellow green (R.H.S. 144B-144C, J.H.S. 3512-3513).

Branching.--Abundant.

Pubescence.--Normal.

Length of internode.--2.0-3.0 cm before blooming; 2.0-4.0 mm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Shape.--Lancet.

Size (average).-4.0-5.0 cm×2.0-3.5 cm.

Thickness.--0.4-0.6 mm.

Color.--Strong yellow green to moderate olive green (R.H.S. 144A-146A,J.H.S. 3507-3508).

Pubescence.--Few.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Diameter.--8.0-8.5 cm.

Color.--When flower is open, bright red (R.H.S. 45C-47B, J.H.S. 0407),with moderate pink (R.H.S. 51C-54C, J.H.S. 0113) reverse side.

Reproductive organs.--1 pistil and 5 stamens, both normal.

Peduncle.--1.5-2.5 mm in thickness, and 2.5-3.0 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat, and disease, and moderate resistance to pest.

The male parent used in the breeding of `Revolution Brilliantpink` is awild type of petunia native to Brazil, the seeds of which were gatheredat Gramado, Rio Grande Do Sul, Brazil and introduced to Japan inOctober, 1983. This wild type of plant is presently maintained at theaforementioned Yachiyo Farm of the Keisei Rose Nurseries, Inc. The mainbotanical characteristics of this male parent are as follows.

Plant:

Growth habit.--Decumbent.

Plant height.--20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--100-150 cm in diameter.

Blooming period.--May to August in the southern Kanto area, Japan.

Stem:

Length from base.--50-80 cm.

Thickness.--Main stem 2.0-3.0 mm; lateral stem 1.5-2.5 mm.

Color.--Strong yellow green (R.H.S. 144B-144C, J.H.S. 3512-3513).

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Pubescence.--Many.

Length of intermode.--1.0-2.0 cm before blooming; 1.5-3.0 cm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Opposite both before and during blooming.

Shape.--Oval.

Size (average).--4.5-5.5 cm×2.5-3.5 cm.

Thickness.--0.4-0.5 mm.

Color.--Grayish olive green (R.H.S. 137A-137B, J.H.S. 3716-3717).

Pubescence.Few.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Diameter.--4.0-5.0 cm.

Color.--In the unopened stage (bud), dark reddish purple (R.H.S. 79B,J.H.S. 8907-8909); when open, vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 74A, J.H.S.9207); at full bloom, vivid reddish purple (R.H.S. 80A, J.H.S. 8906).

Reproductive organ.--1 pistil and 5 stamens, both normal.

Peduncle.--0.9-1.2 mm in thickness, and 2.0-2.5 mm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to cold,relatively high resistance to heat, and moderate resistance to diseaseand pest.

This new and distinct variety of petunia plant, `RevolutionBrilliantpink`, was asexually reproduced by cutting at theaforementioned Yachiyo Farm of Keisei Rose Nurseries, Inc., and thehomogeneity and stability thereof were confirmed.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

The new variety of petunia plant has a decumbent habit and long stems,and thus is very different from a similar variety, `Recoverer Blue`,having an upright growth habit. The plant has abundant branching and agreat profusion of blooms, and the whole bush remains in bloom for aconsiderable period of time, longer than the bloom period of `RecovererBlue`. The flowers are single, and large, but somewhat smaller than`Recoverer Blue`, and the petals have a metallic luster and a vividpurplish red color, which is lighter than the deep purple of `RecovererBlue`, with deep reddish purple lines radiating from a dark purplecenter portion. The plant is highly resistant to rain, heat, anddrought.

The following Table shows the main distinguishable features of thisvariety `Revolution Brilliantpink` in comparison with the similarvariety `Recoverer Blue`.

                  TABLE                                                           ______________________________________                                        Main distinguishing features of `REVOLUTION                                   BRILLIANTPINK` compared with `Recoverer Blue`.                                            `REVOLUTION                                                       Characteristics                                                                           BRILLIANTPINK`                                                                              `Recoverer Blue`                                    ______________________________________                                        1.  Growth habit                                                                              Decumbent     Upright                                         2.  Stem length 50-80 cm      30-40 cm                                            from base                                                                 3.  Blooming    Late March to April to September                                  period (in the                                                                            late September                                                    southern Kanto                                                                area, Japan)                                                              4.  Diameter of 7.0-8.0 cm    8.0-8.5 cm                                          flower                                                                    5.  Color of    Vivid purplish                                                                              Deep purple                                         flower at   red (RHS 74A, (RHS 83A,                                           full bloom  JHS 9507-9207)                                                                              JHS 8606-8609)                                  ______________________________________                                    

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a photograph giving a partial view of the new variety ofpetunia plant planted in a flower bed;

FIG. 2 is a photograph of flowers of the new variety of petunia plant;

FIG. 3 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower (3), a current shoot (4), a bud (5), a side view of theflower (6), a front view of the flower (7), a rear view of the flower(8), an interior view of the flower (9), and pistil and stamens (10), ofthe new variety of petunia plant; and,

FIG. 4 is a photograph showing, in numerical order, a branch having anopen flower (1), a flower (2), a bud (3), and a current shoot (4) of thenew variety of petunia plant, in comparison with corresponding items(5-8) of a similar variety `Recoverer Blue`.

DESCRIPTION OF THE VARIETY

The botanical characteristics of the new and distinct variety of petuniaplant `Revolution Brilliantpink` are as follows.

Plant:

Growth babit.--Decumbent. The stem hang down where potted in a hangingpot.

Plant height.--15-20 cm.

Spreading area of plant.--The stem extends to a length of 50-80 cm fromthe base, and thus the spreading area of the plant is 100-150 cm indiameter.

Growth.--Very vigorous with abundant branching, a great profusion ofblooms; the whole bush remaining in bloom for a considerable period oftime.

Blooming period.--Late March to late September, in the southern Kantoarea, Japan. The plant shape does not change throughout this period.

Stem:

Thickness.--Main stem 2.5-3.5 mm; lateral stem 1.5-2.0 mm.

Color.--Strong yellow green (R.H.S. 144A-145A, J.H.S. 3507-3712).

Pubescence.--Normal.

Branching.--Over-abundant.

Length of internode.--1.5-1.7 cm before blooming; 3.0-4.0 cm duringblooming.

Leaf:

Phyllotaxis.--Verticillate before blooming; opposite during blooming.

Shape.--Lancet.

Size (average).--6.0-7.0 cm×2.5-3.5 cm.

Thickness.--0.6-0.8 mm.

Color.--Moderate olive green to strong yellow green (R.H.S. 146A-143A,J.H.S. 3508-3308).

Pubescence.--Few.

Flower: Opening obliquely upward.

Type.--Single.

Shape.--Funnel-shape, with five-fissured limb.

Diameter.--7.0-8.0 cm, large.

Color.--In the unopened stage (bud), dark reddish purple (R.H.S.79A-79B, J.H.S. 9516-9210); when open, dark purplish red (R.H.S. 71A,J.H.S. 9509); at full bloom, vivid purplish red (R.H.S. 74A, J.H.S.9507-9207), with deep reddish purple (R.H.S. 77A, J.H.S. 9209-9210)lines radiating from a dark purple (R.H.S. 83A, J.H.S. 8609-8610) centerportion. The reverse side of the petal is a vivid reddish purple color(R.H.S. 74A, J.H.S. 9208-9206). The petal has a metallic luster.

Reproductive organs.--1 normal pistil having a grayish olive green(R.H.S. 137A, J.H.S. 3716) stigma, and 5 normal stamens each having adeep purple (R.H.S. 86A, J.H.S. 8307) anther and a light purple (R.H.S.87D, J.H.S. 8603) filament.

Peduncle.--1.5-2.0 mm in thickness, and 1.5-2.0 cm in length.

Physiological and ecological characteristics: High resistance to rain,heat, and drought. Also high resistance to disease, particularly graymold (Botrytis). Moderate resistance to pest.

This new variety of petunia plant is most suitable for flower beddingand potting, particularly in hanging pots or planters, and furtherexcellent for ground cover.

The plant of this new variety `Revolution Brilliantpink` is presentlyplanted and maintained at the Yachiyo Farm of the Keisei Rose Nurseries,Inc., residing at 755 Owadasinden, Yachiyo-shi, Chiba-ken, Japan.

We claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of petunia plant, substantiallyas herein illustrated and described, characterized particularly as tonovelty by (A) being a decumbent habit plant having long stems, (B) anabundant branching and a great profusion of blooms, the whole bushremaining in bloom for a considerable period of time, (C) flowers thatare single and large, the petals having a metallic luster and a vividpurplish red color with deep reddish purple lines radiating from a darkpurple center portion, and (D) a high resistance to rain, heat, anddrought.